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Thursday, August 3, 2017

The Secrets of Villa Rosso by Linn B. Halton - Book Review & Excerpt

When Ellie met Josh she instantly knew that he'd be the one for her. They're soulmates and have been married for a very long time. On their 19th wedding anniversary Ellie sees something that she can't explain. These images intrigue her and she wants to find out what they mean. Ellie works as an interior designer for her best friend Livvie. When Livvie's mother is being admitted to the hospital because of an injury Ellie takes over Livvie's business trip to Italy. As soon as Ellie arrives in Italy she feels like she's been there before. Ellie is instantly taken by her destination, Villa Rosso, and the man in charge, Max. How can it be that someone Ellie has never met before awakens such strong feelings inside of her?

Ellie doesn't doubt her feelings for Josh, but she can't deny her connection to Max. During the day she's living her life with Josh and her two daughters like she's always done, but during the night she visits Max in her dreams. Ellie is a loving mother with a strong need to help people. She keeps her personal feelings private and the only person who knows everything about her is Josh. I loved the fact that Ellie stays true to what she believes in, but is strong enough to seek guidance when she needs it.

The Secrets of Villa Rosso mesmerized me. The vivid descriptions of the handmate Italian items that Livvie and Ellie order for their business made me wish I could buy them myself. Linn B. Halton includes paranormal touches in all of her stories and she keeps making me think about what I personally believe in. I love it when a book manages to have this thought-provoking effect on me. I'm already sure The Secrets of Villa Rosso will stay with me for a very long time. The story is beautiful and Linn B. Halton's books always positively affect me. She is one of my favorite authors and I already can't wait to read her next creation.

Advice

If you love to read about true love with an original twist I highly recommend The Secrets of Villa Rosso.

About Linn B. Halton

Bristol-born Linn B Halton lives in the Forest of Dean, in the UK.

"I'm a hopeless romantic, self-confessed chocaholic, and lover of strong coffee. For me, life is about family, friends, writing ... and house renovation! Oh, and the occasional glass of White Grenache..."

An Amazon UK Top 100 best-selling author with A Cottage in the Country in November 2015, Under the Stars and A Little Sugar, A Lot of Love also became best-sellers in 2016 & 2017. Linn's novels have been short-listed in the UK's Festival of Romance and the eFestival of Words Book Awards. Linn won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award.

It isn’t just the sunshine and the electric blue sky, but the musical calls of the countryside that reach out to me. A chorus of low-level sounds play like a soft melody in the background. It’s breathtakingly beautiful and I feel like I’m watching a re-run of a favourite film. I could stand here for a long time simply taking in the detail and with each sweep of my eyes noticing something new.

Spinning around I look back at the villa, taking in the rustic beauty of the stonework and the pale orange-red hue of the sun-bleached roof tiles. This is, quite simply, unreal. It’s a little piece of heaven and, so far removed from my daily life that it’s hard to believe this is on the same planet. The sheer scale of the landscape literally steals your breath away. I’m a mere speck, small and insignificant in the grand scheme nature is presenting to me. But rather bizarrely, it doesn’t feel alien in anyway at all. The vastness isn’t overwhelming, but strangely comforting.

I walk back to a cluster of wooden tables surrounding a small fountain and take a seat. As I dive into my bag to extract some sunglasses, I hear a polite cough and look up at the face staring down at me.

‘Mrs Maddison? I’m Max, Max Johnson. Welcome to Villa Rosso.’

I stand, automatically plastering a pleasant smile on my surprised face as recognition kicks in. I know this man, I mean, I’ve met him before. At least I think I have, but there’s nothing similar reflected back at me, only a warm smile. The sort of smile that radiates out from mysteriously deep, hazel eyes. We shake hands. He’s younger than I expected, probably in his early forties and tall. Six foot something that’s for sure, because I feel he’s towering over me.

‘I’m sorry to disturb you. I just wanted you to know that I’m here at your disposal whenever you are ready to begin. Would you like me to fetch you a coffee so you can sit for a while and enjoy the view?’

Although I knew he was British, his tan and elegant demeanour lend an air of cosmopolitan sophistication. I would not have been at all surprised if he had been Italian. He’s hovering politely and I still haven’t answered him…

UK Only giveaway

One very lucky winner from the UK will receive a beautiful prize package.

Ah, thank you so much Anniek and Suze - you guys have become friends and I wait with bated breath until I know what you think about my newest book baby. So thrilled you enjoyed your little trip to Italy, Anniek - in the next one I'm going to take you to the Forest of Dean! xx